Chapter 10 Chapter 26 Fight Back Together
However, the snake man still has the fighting power, and the desperate counterattack still makes us unable to resist.As soon as we rushed to the city, the flow of people was already exiting.Because the battle was too sudden this time, only the Republican Army and the Land Army were engaged in the battle, and the Water Army was never dispatched, so our offensive could not be sustained in the end.Fortunately, both the Imperial Army and the Republican Army were well-trained. When they rushed in, they were a little chaotic, but when they exited, they were orderly and did not show any signs of defeat.The snake people have also suffered heavy losses in this battle, as long as they launch a full-scale attack, they will definitely win a big victory.
Seeing that the troops were already retreating, the little prince was very dissatisfied, and said, "General Chu, why didn't you rush in? The snake man is already dead."
I took the Lianzi Battalion and stood outside the city gate to watch the troops retreat, in case the Snake Man took advantage of the situation to attack.Those snake people must also know this clearly, and they probably thought of the day of perdition in the near future, so they didn't pursue them.I said: "Wars are not won overnight. Don't worry, my lord, the snake people have been beaten to death by us. Now they still have the power to resist, and the strong attack is not good. Let them rest, and their morale will be improved." Get down, and tomorrow will be their end."
The little prince let out an "ah" and said, "By the way, this is the principle of 'encirclement must be vertical' as stated in the art of war, but will snake people also fight back out of despair?"
I said: "It will definitely." I looked towards the top of the city, and there were still densely packed snake people on the top of the city, but this must be the full power of the snake people.They don't have the vision of Moran, they can't shoot arrows, they just send us off at the head of the city.The city wall of Nan'an City is not considered high, only five or six feet high, and now the city wall is also in dilapidated condition, and it seems that it will collapse at the touch of a finger.
Just looking at it, Yongziying has retreated.Cao Wendao was a little reckless. What I was most worried about was that he would kill Xing, and the lonely army would go deep and suffer heavy losses. Seeing that he retreated first, I was relieved and went up to him and said, "General Cao."
When Cao Wendao saw me, he cupped his hands immediately, and said dejectedly: "Control, Cao Wendao is incompetent, I never thought that group of monsters are so powerful, we can't hold the top of the wall."
Snake people are not good at defending the city, but they are good at field fighting, especially street fighting.Cao Wendao said that they didn't have armored vehicles to clear the way, and they didn't have an absolute advantage in military strength, so it's not surprising that they couldn't beat them.I said: "It doesn't matter, how are the brothers injured?"
"The casualties are always around 300. Fortunately, there are also about 200 at Yang Yi's place."
I said: "Collect the brothers who died in battle Haosheng. If they have family members, they will be given preferential treatment."
Cao Wendao didn't say anything more, he probably heard me say that this kind of talk is too much, he just curled his lips and said, "Control, close the camp? Aren't we going to the north gate tomorrow to launch a general attack?"
I managed to suppress the throbbing in my heart, and said as calmly as possible: "Yes, let's close the camp."
The little prince suddenly said from the side: "General Chu, why don't you attack again? The art of war doesn't mean that we will be exhausted again and again. The snake man blocked our attack once, and now he must be rejoicing. If he attacks again, they may not be able to block it." live."
I looked at the top of the city and said: "Maybe they can't stop them, but our losses are not small enough, let's take a break. Miraculous plans can't be relied on, and majestic soldiers are enough to defeat the enemy, so don't take risks."
Cao Wendao said from the side: "The control is very true. Your Highness, tomorrow's general attack will definitely kill enough."
The little prince was still a little dissatisfied, I said: "Little Highness, you have been extremely brave today, go to bed early. If you don't sleep well, you won't be able to fight tomorrow."
The little prince was startled, and said: "Yes, yes, I will go right away. General Chu, I will go first."
Seeing him go, Cao Wendao suddenly burst out laughing and said, "This kid is really good."
I sighed and said, "Brother Cao, now you finally know that human life is the most precious." Cao Wendao always reminded me of Chai Shengxiang in the past, but Cao Wendao's temper is far better than Chai Shengxiang's .He was turning his head to look at the city gate, and after hearing what I said, he turned his head and said, "Come on, Commander, I can hear the words of you mother-in-law and mother-in-law. In fact, I really think that since you are a soldier, you should be ready at any time." Throwing your life, if you want to never die, it is absolutely impossible. If these words are too much, it will make the brothers greedy for life and afraid of death."
I wanted to refute him a few words, but I couldn't find the words.What Cao Wendao said is correct. I am also prepared to lose my life at any time. I usually say things like "Life and death are like feathers, sacrifice your life for the country, and the luck of soldiers" when speaking to soldiers, but I can't make myself believe it. Death is a lucky thing.Even the soldiers probably bothered me a little.I smiled wryly, and said, "Sometimes it's thanks to you. Probably, I'm really not suitable to be the governor."
Cao Wendao suddenly felt a little embarrassed, and said: "Control, don't say that. You have a kind heart, think about the soldiers in everything, and don't like unnecessary adventures. You are really a rare general. Like Yang Yi, although I say I admire his military skills and gun skills, but if he is the commander of the local army, I, Cao, will be the first to refuse." He thought for a while, and then said, "I think, each of us is like a rock with sharp edges, and controlling you is like mud .Only when the mud is blended, can stones build a strong city. Hehe."
He smiled maliciously, and I knew he was making fun of my nickname of "General Mud" again.In the Wude camp, only Cao Wendao and I can be so unobtrusive and have no restraint in our conversation.I said: "Brother Cao, I'm also thinking, you have cooperated with me the longest, but the Wude Camp ranks you as the last, it's really unfair..."
Before I finished speaking, Cao Wendao smiled heartily and said, "Controlling, you underestimated Cao by what you said. I know that there is nothing superior in Yang Yi's military tactics, Qian Wenyi's military strategy, Chen Wenyi's military strategy, etc. The strength of loyalty and the resourcefulness of Lian Baice are beyond my reach, and I feel that I am pretty good as the commander of the Yongzi Battalion."
I said: "Brother Cao, don't look down on yourself. You may not be as good as them in terms of military tactics, formation, strength, and resourcefulness, but you have a straightforwardness that they don't have." Speaking of this, I suddenly felt a little pain in my heart, and continued, "If I die, I am afraid that you are the most suitable person to accept the position of commander of the Wude Camp."
Cao Wendao said angrily: "What are you doing alive? I'm not sure. I will die in battle tomorrow. Stop talking, Yang Yi is back."
When Yang Yi became the leader of the Renzi Camp, the head of the Wude Camp, the generals were quite dissatisfied. Among them, Cao Wendao jumped up and down the most.It's just that Yang Yi is quite tolerant towards Cao Wendao, and Cao Wendao is not a person who doesn't know good and bad. Although he still doesn't like Yang Yi, he still carries out Yang Yi's assignments without compromise.It's just that if Yang Yi is present, he doesn't like to talk.At this time, Yang Yi had brought people over, and I saw one of his arms was tied with a cloth strip, so I quickly went up to him and said, "Brother Yang, what's wrong? Are you injured?"
Yang Yidao: "I was wiped by a snake man's spear, it's not a problem. General Chu, the snake man has no strength to fight anymore, so do you want to attack again today?"
I said: "The plan discussed by all the armies is tomorrow. Now we are fighting alone, which is not good. Go back and rest first. We will move to the north gate of the camp later, and we will attack tomorrow." There are so many people now, I think Let's not tell him that we caught the snake man named Morang.Yang Yi looked at Cao Wendao on the side, and said in a low voice: "General Chu, that Ming Shizhen, I always feel that there is something false in his words. Is this person a hidden stake laid down by Lord Wenhou?"
I said: "Lord Wenhou said that he is not. I can't figure out what his true face is, but looking at the "Mine Making Method Map" he presented, it doesn't seem like a lie."
Yang Yidao: "As the saying goes, fish can be caught without bait. I'm afraid that the picture presented by this person is also a bait."
I said: "Even if it is a bait, what does he want to do? Let us merge with the Republican Army..." Before I finished speaking, Yang Yi suddenly lowered his voice, and said in surprise: "Huo Merge? Could it be that he said that the Republic Does the army intend to take us down?"
I suddenly remembered that I hadn’t mentioned this matter to Yang Yi and the others, and I was about to talk about it in detail, but I heard someone rushing over angrily from behind, shouting: "General Chu! General Chu!"
That was Feng Qi.I'm a little upset, Feng Qi seems to have never been a soldier, so he doesn't know the taboos in the army.Fortunately, the war is over now. If it was before the war, if he rushed over in such a panic, people would think that something big enough to kill him had happened, and the morale of the army would be disturbed by him. But now, only some soldiers glanced at him, and they didn't see him. There is no need to panic, after all, this battle is over.
I galloped up to meet him, and raised my voice, "Feng Qi, what happened?"
When Feng Qi arrived in front of my horse, he was out of breath and couldn't speak for a while, his face was full of panic, as if he was about to shed tears.He brought a horse with him, and he tried to get close to me, then covered his mouth with one hand, and said in a low voice: "General Chu, the market is not going well, that Ming Shizhen is gone."
"What?" I yelled, "Didn't he have all his joints removed?"
Feng Qi said: "I can't figure it out either, Xiao Wei and Song Guangxiao were stabbed by this kid, and now they don't know about their personnel, it's very bad." They have always been like brothers, but this time two of them were seriously injured, no wonder Feng Qi was about to panic.I snorted and said, "Calm down, where's the captured snake man captive?"
Feng Qi was stunned, and said, "This... I haven't seen it yet."
I said, "Go!" As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I saw a trace of displeasure flashing across Feng Qi's face, and my heart shuddered.Although the issue of whether the snake man can continue to cooperate with the Republican Army is indeed much more important than Xiao Wei and Song Guangxiao, but Feng Qi was a little unhappy when I said this, so I immediately continued: "Feng Qi , go and ask Medical Officer Jiang to heal Xiao Wei and Song Guangxiao, and you must rescue them." Feng Qi was uneasy because of his brother's injury, which is understandable, and I couldn't bear to say anything about him.
Feng Qi agreed and took the horse away. I looked behind me and saw Yang Yi was looking at me, probably guessing what Feng Qi was reporting to me.I waved to him and said loudly, "Brother Yang!"
Yang Yi hurried over and said, "General Chu, what happened?"
I said: "Tell a few brothers to go there together, something happened to Ming Shizhen."
Yang Yi frowned and said, "What's going on? Is there a traitor?"
My heart was in a state of confusion, and I said, "I'm going to see it, so ask some reliable people to follow."
Ming Shizhen's ability is not small, but if he can take care of both Xiao Wei and Song Guangxiao who were cut by ten swords, and then escape silently, I absolutely can't believe that he alone can do it.I even suspected that Song Guangxiao or Xiao Wei himself was his internal agent, saying that being stabbed was just a trick, so I asked Yang Yi to take someone there with him.Yang Yi frowned again, and said: "There is one more thing, I...forget it, let's go and have a look first."
He turned around and called a few people, and we walked forward together.Morang was locked in my back tent, next to Ming Shizhen's recuperation tent, because the camp was intruded by snake men just now, and now all the troops are cleaning the battlefield and rescuing the wounded, and the place is empty.After leaving the tent of the Chinese army, I hurried to the back tent, Yang Yi said in surprise, "General Chu, did you go the wrong way?"
I turned my head and said: "That's right, just now General Cai Lian captured a snake man and locked him in the back tent. The Republican Army attacked Nan'an City to capture this snake man."
Yang Yi was startled, and beckoned, "Come here!" He was alert and thoughtful, knowing that this matter was unusual, several soldiers got off their horses and dodged to our side.Yang Yi whispered: "What does this snake man know?"
I pondered for a while, and said, "I don't know yet, but Henry Ding thinks highly of this snake man and asked to interrogate him with us."
We walked forward slowly, and as soon as we reached the back tent, we saw two people lying on the ground with blood on their bodies, and we saw that they were soldiers from the Lianzi Battalion in livery.I was taken aback, and rushed forward, but Yang Yi was faster than me, rushed to me, and said to the left and right: "Be careful!"
Few people came to the back tent, and it was very hidden. Feng Qi was so confused that he didn't come here to see it, and he didn't realize that something happened here.I helped a soldier on the ground to test his breath, and seeing that he was still panting, I said, "Hurry up, send him to the medical officer for treatment!"
These two soldiers were both stabbed in the chest, and the knife was cut sharply. The skill of the striker is very unusual, and probably only Ming Shizhen has this ability.I stared at the back tent and shouted: "Ming Shizhen! If you are inside, come out quickly!"
Yang Yi stood beside me, and suddenly whispered: "There seems to be a voice inside!"
I also heard a low moan coming from inside.I held the Baipi knife and said: "Pull the curtain!"
Two soldiers with guns came over, one on the left and one on the right, and the two guns raised the curtain.As soon as the curtain was pulled open, everyone who saw the scene inside let out a low "ah".At first glance, I couldn't believe my eyes, and I didn't know what it was. After I collected myself, I saw it clearly. It was a person tightly wrapped by a snake man, and some ropes were scattered on the ground.That person was Ming Shizhen, but his face was covered with bruises, and his body was so entangled by the snake man that he couldn't tell.This snake man named Mo Lang was originally very long, and Ming Shizhen was not too tall, so only one head was exposed after being entangled.I shouted: "Quick! Tear them apart quickly! Be careful!"
In fact, you don't need to be too careful, Ming Shizhen was entangled, but Mo Lang was not much better, a knife was stuck in its body, only the handle of the knife was exposed, and it was also dying.When the two soldiers untied Mo Lang from Ming Shizhen's body, the snake man only moved slightly, and a white film was already covering his eyes.Yang Yi tried Ming Shizhen's breath, shook his head at me, and said, "It won't work."
I looked at Mo Lang, and a soldier on the opposite side said: "Go and call Doctor Jiang to come over, come right away!"
The soldier promised to go.At this moment, both Ming Shizhen and Mo Lang were lying on the ground, alone, a snake man, also unable to move.Yang Yi still didn't dare to neglect, and watched with several soldiers armed.Yang Yi whispered: "General Chu, what is going on?"
"Probably Ming Shizhen wanted to kill the snake man, but unexpectedly the snake man broke free from the rope and entangled him to death instead."
Yang Yidao: "Probably so. It's just that Ming Shizhen is out of trouble, why didn't he take advantage of the chaos and escape, instead came to kill this snake man?"
I was confused, but Yang Yi's words made my heart tremble, and said: "You mean, this snake man is indeed so important that Ming Shizhen insisted on killing it to silence it?"
Yang Yi nodded, and said in a low voice: "General Chu, there are more and more strange things coming to Nan'an City this time, and I really can't figure it out. Who is Ming Shizhen?"
Ming Shizhen is the confidant of Elder Zhong Hai, Wanghai Sanhao in Wuyang City.Hailao, He Congjing, Mr. Nanwu, Ding Henry, Snakeman, what is the relationship between these forces?I couldn't help but smiled wryly. Even Marquis Wen, who is omnipresent with eyes and ears, I don't think he can straighten out these relationships.If Henry Ding didn't lie to me, Hailao in the Republican Army has turned against He Congjing now, but Morang has the secret of the snake man, and Ming Shizhen wants to kill it, no matter which faction it is good for, could it be that, Hai Lao turned out to be on the snake man's side?
I was stunned by my own thoughts.Hailao is short in stature and extremely ugly. It is true that he does not look like an ordinary person, but he is certainly not a snake man.Why did he help the snake man?Suddenly, I remembered that the high-speed rail in Wuhou's tent was coming.Gao Tiechong is also short in stature and extremely ugly, but he is not a snake man, but Gao Tiechong is the internal response of the snake man.Could it be that the snake man is a tool in the hands of some people?
The more I thought about it, the more I felt something was wrong, and my body became colder and colder.This kind of thinking has always been vague before, but I always feel that some people use the power of snake people to destroy us, which is really unbelievable.Snake people are different after all, even if people like Gao Tiechong and Hai Lao use the power of snake people to eliminate us, what good will it do them?What's more, talking with Elder Hai in Wuyang City always made me feel a kind of indescribable awe for this short and ugly old man.There seems to be a strange power in this old man that I can't understand at all, and I can't make myself believe that Hai Lao, who claims that all things are equal, actually wants to wipe out human beings.However, if you don't think so, you can't explain what Hailao is doing now.The alliance between the Imperial Army and the Republican Army was established with the full support of Hai Lao, but now he is trying his best to destroy this alliance. What secrets are there that I have not yet known?
As I was thinking, a soldier's words interrupted my thoughts: "Captain, Doctor Jiang is here."
I raised my head, only to see Jiang Yimo carrying a medicine box, standing in front of me, and bowed to me.I said, "Doctor Jiang, quickly look at this snake man."
Jiang Yimo was startled, and said: "Snake man?" He was about to put down the medical box, hearing what I said, he probably thought he heard it wrong.I said: "It's a snake man, see if it can be saved?"
Jiang Yimo walked up to Mo Lang, feeling a little bewildered.Although Mo Lang couldn't move, several soldiers still held it down to prevent it from violently hurting people.Jiang Yimo grabbed Mo Lang's hand, touched it, and said, "General Chu, this..."
Seeing his distressed face, I said, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Yimo said: "I really don't know how to look at the snake man's wound, it has no pulse." He looked at Mo Lang's body and said, "It seems that there is no pulse in other places."
The snake man was covered with scales, even the back of his hands were covered with scales, Jiang Yimo really had no way to do it.I sighed in my heart, and Yang Yi said from the side: "Doctor Jiang, can you see if the person next to you can be saved?"
Jiang Yi looked as if he had received an amnesty, and quickly put down Mo Lang's hand, and took Ming Shizhen's wrist. After a long while, he sighed and said, "General Chu, forgive me for my incompetence. This man's ribs are broken and he has no breath. He is dead." .”
If Ming Shizhen didn't die, he might be able to ask some questions, and now the only thing he can do is save Mo Lang.I said: "Doctor Jiang, try it, you have to rescue this snake man no matter what. It seems that it only suffered this stab wound, can you see if it can be saved?"
Jiang Yimo pondered for a while, but didn't speak, and suddenly reached out to stroke Mo Lang's chest.The body of the snake man is very long, but the upper body is almost the same as that of a human, and there are no scales on the front heart.He thought for a while and said, "I don't know, but it seems that the snake man is not easy to die. I have seen the snake man whose head was cut off can still crawl on the ground. Fortunately, this knife does not have a blood groove, otherwise the snake man It’s bound to die, I’ll take it out first and sew up the wound.”
I nodded and walked to the side of the snake man, Yang Yi also came over, and we supported the snake man together.If it was a human being, he would definitely not be able to live if he stabbed it like this, but Jiang Yimo was right, the vitality of a snake man is extremely strong, and Ming Shizhen's knife didn't have a blood groove, so the blood didn't flow out much after it was pierced in, otherwise it would be considered a snake Most people will die from excessive blood loss.
Yang Yi and I supported the snake man, and several other soldiers also held down its body parts. Jiang Yimo opened the medicine box, took out a few pointed clips, took out a needle, threaded the gut, and said : "General Chu, General Yang, be careful, it may move when you lift the knife."
I nodded, and said: "Understood, you go ahead with the knife." The medical officer used the knife, and the opponent's technique was also demanding, and if he started slowly, it would make the wound bigger.Jiang Yimo took a deep breath, held the handle of the knife, and shrank suddenly, with a sound of "dang", my eyes dazed, the short knife was pulled out, and Morang's body trembled.Although it was seriously injured, the struggle under the pain still made me tremble, and Yang Yi even slipped on his feet and almost lost his hand.Jiang Yimo's technique is really powerful. Before the blood spurts out of the wound, he swung his left hand and clamped the wound with three pointed clips. The needle in his right hand shuttled very quickly. Before I could see clearly, he had already sewed up the wound. After seven or eight stitches, it started to tie a knot.At this time, only a little blood gushed out from the wound.
After Jiang Yimo sewed up the wound, wrapped it up with a piece of gauze, and probed Mo Lang's chest, he let out a long breath and said, "General Chu, I'm fine now, it depends on whether this snake man can hold on." Get tomorrow."
I also breathed a sigh of relief, straightened up, and said to Yang Yi: "Ms. Jiang, thank you, and I have to trouble you to treat the injured brothers. Brother Yang, go wash your hands, and then ask the worker to make a shelf to make it stronger. Tie this snake man to it, and usually send two people to guard it day and night in shifts, so that it can no longer break free." Just now Mo Lang had already broken free from the rope, if it hadn't been for Ming Shizhen who suddenly came out and stabbed it, in the chaos, probably It has long since escaped.Although it is seriously injured now, I dare not be careless anymore.
When we walked out of the camp, the soldiers on the side had already brought a basin of water.I was washing the blood on my hands, Yang Yi walked to my side, but stood still.I said, "Brother Yang, let's wash together. By the way, didn't you just say that there is something else?"
Yang Yi said "Yes", and said: "By the way, General Chu, when I led the troops into the city, I found that the snake man was in the city. There were pits dug everywhere, and the stone slabs on the ground were turned over in a mess."
I was taken aback and said, "It's the same?"
When we counterattacked and entered Dongping City, I saw traces of excavation everywhere.The snake people used soil to build fortifications at the top of the city, so they didn't think it was strange at the time. Later, when they counterattacked some small cities or villages, they never saw the snake people doing such things.It's just that the snake people didn't build anything on the city wall of Nan'an, what are they doing?
Yang Yidao: "I can't figure it out either. Because I haven't been in the city for a long time, and I haven't looked carefully, it seems that the digging is not too deep, and it doesn't seem to hinder us. Probably, because the time is too tight."
He was also very uncertain about what he said, maybe he felt that his guess was a bit unreasonable.I said: "It's probably the same. Don't think about it, if this Moran really knows something, we can understand."
Yang Yidao: "General Chu is right." He looked at the sky and said worriedly: "The capture of Nan'an City is inevitable, but what I am worried about is the actions of the Republican Army. What will they do? What's up?"
At this time, Feng Qi came over from the side, saluted, and said, "General Chu." Ming Shizhen disappeared, and he could not absolve himself of the blame, so his face was a little panicked.I said, "How about Xiao Wei and Song Guangxiao?"
Feng Qi's face was very ugly, and he said: "Xiao Wei has been rescued, but Song Guangxiao..." His voice was a little choked up, and he knelt down suddenly, and said, "General Chu, the villain is so careless that he has become a General Chu please punish this mistake."
I entrusted Ming Shizhen to Shijianzhan. Feng Qi is the leader of Shijianzhan. It is difficult for him to shirk his responsibility when this happened.But he took all the faults on himself, and one of the ten swords was killed, I really can't bear to scold him again.I sighed, and said, "Okay, I'll fine you a month's military pay. Is there anyone else in Song Guangxiao's family? Take good care of his family."
Tears welled up in Feng Qi's eyes, and he said, "General Chu, all ten of us are alone. General Chu, I want to bring Song Guangxiao's body back to the imperial capital for burial. Please allow me."
In the past, soldiers who died in battle were buried on the spot, because long-distance transportation was really inconvenient.With this opening, if all the soldiers who died in battle had to be transported back, it would be troublesome.I wanted to say no to it, but I really couldn't say it. Yang Yi also saw my embarrassment, and said from the side: "General Feng, there is an order in the army that all soldiers who died in battle should be buried on the spot. Don't you?" Make it difficult for General Chu."
Feng Qi kowtowed, and said: "I know that too, but Song Guangxiao and I are brothers and sisters, and I ask the two generals to be extra merciful. We have also discussed that if we can't bring back the body, we can bring back the ashes. There are ten brothers among us. The agreement is first, no matter what, the soul will return to the hometown after death."
Yang Yi had nothing to say.Although there are many burials, there are also many cremations. It is not a big deal to bring a bottle of ashes home.Yang Yi didn't dare to agree, looked at me, I sighed, and said, "Okay, you can do it."
Feng Qi kowtowed again and said, "Thank you two generals." Seeing him get up and leave, I sighed and said, "Brother Yang, I really feel sorry for the brothers in the army."
Yang Yi also sighed, and said: "The marquis will be in charge of the army, and the soldiers are half dead. The head is thrown lightly, and the name of the country is empty. Mr. Min's poem has been widely circulated in the army. The suffering of the soldiers is really unimaginable. You It’s already considered a good job, I heard that some troops mutinied every three days, so that they had to recruit strong men to join the army, this kind of thing has never happened in the Land Legion.”
I thought for a while and said, "It's also a good way to bring the ashes back home. Bury them all on the spot. Although it saves a lot of trouble, the brothers sacrificed their lives for the country and can't return to their hometown after death. I'm so sorry for them." Heroic soul. If you want to bring the ashes back in the future, you will be allowed to let them go. A team of people will be specially arranged in the baggage camp to do this. Even though I can't do much for them, the dead are dead, and the living can do this for them. It should be."
Yang Yi hesitated, and said: "It's just that, General Chu, if you open this mouth, I'm afraid you will become a target of public criticism in all armies, and the other generals may scold you for being a good trader."
I was disturbed for a while, and said: "I don't want to climb up anymore. Being the commander of the local army is enough. They like to scold me or not. At worst, I will disarm and return to the field. To be honest, I really don't want to fight anymore. In the army, It is inevitable to die by the sword, I would rather be old, play with a group of children and grandchildren all day, and finally die peacefully on a recliner."
Yang Yi smiled, but the smile was also a bit bitter, and said: "Your ambition is not too great." He shook his head, and said: "Since the dead are dead, don't talk about these things of life and death, now the most important thing The first thing is to eliminate the snake people, and other things, let’s talk about it later, one step is one step.”
He jumped on his horse and went away.Looking at his back, I actually felt a little indescribably lonely.Perhaps, he looked at my back in the same way, neither of us knew what we were doing.What else can we do besides knives and guns?
"Is the envoy Nadin Henry?"
Marquis Wen looked at the "Mine Making Method Map" I presented, and then glanced at me and Deng Canglan. Deng Canglan glanced at me and said softly: "It is this person. The one captured by General Chu is called Morang." The snake man is temporarily held in the prison."
Morang was captured by the local army. Marquis Wen should have asked me, but he was only asking Deng Canglan.He thought for a while, raised his head and said, "Chu Xiuhong, did you interrogate me on the way?"
I fell down on the ground and said: "Master Wenhou, the last general has an appointment with General Ding Henry, and we will interrogate together at that time, so I dare not make a claim. I also ask Lord Wenhou to preside over the interrogation."
On the second day after the soldiers in Nan'an City ended, Henry Ding came with his entourage unexpectedly, saying that he was willing to be a hostage and enter the imperial capital with me.I agreed to interrogate Henry Ding, maybe because he has always been honest with me, but I have been wary of him, so I just want to keep my promise to Henry Ding.But if I told Marquis Wen that it was only because I agreed to Henry Ding, Marquis Wen would probably be annoyed and say that I was out of my mind.Praise him now, on the one hand, it can make Marquis Wen feel that I am still obsessed with him, and I dare not be good at everything, and on the other hand, it can also explain away the reason why I was not interrogated on the road.
Sure enough, after hearing what I said, Marquis Wen sighed and said, "Chu Xiuhong, you really missed the opportunity. You should have interrogated the snake man on the road, and then killed the snake man. You only said that there was a sudden epidemic on the road, then This Henry Ding has nothing to say."
Sudden epidemics and the like are also clichés for dodging. I doubt whether snake people can catch this kind of disease.I knelt on the ground, bowed my head and said: "The general will be convicted. However, our empire treats people with sincerity, and we must not lose our trust to people far away."
Marquis Wen snorted, and said in a low voice: "Dong Hong." He sighed, and said, "Chu Xiuhong, you are disappointing me more and more."
Marquis Wen's words were a bit heavy, I was startled, and couldn't reply.Seeing me embarrassed, Deng Canglan hurriedly knelt down and said, "My lord, the snake man was seriously injured, and he was unconscious all the time on the way. You can't blame General Chu for this matter, and please be careful."
I am grateful to Deng Canglan for a while.Both Deng Canglan and Bi Wei are the closest confidantes of Marquis Wen, but Deng Canglan is different from Bi Wei. If he goes on an expedition this time, I will go with Bi Wei. Wouldn't think he would speak for me.
Marquis Wen snorted, and said: "Okay, you have fought hard, and it will be cold this year. Now that there are few battles, let's rest for a month or two, and let He Congjing and the snake man entangle for a while." He stood up Standing up, he said, "I will arrange for the interrogation of the snake man Mo Lang."
What he said excluded Deng Canglan and me from the interrogation, we had nothing to say, so we saluted and said: "Obey."
Marquis Wen smiled at this time, and said: "You have been fighting outside, and you rarely have leisure time. It is rare that the Four-Phase Legion has returned. I will host a banquet to welcome you tonight. Let's go to Zuifenglou. Take a bath , bring your senior generals over here."
Marquis Wen used to entertain our Four-Phase Legion from time to time, but now because of his frequent battles with the Snake Man, he has less and less contact with him, and rarely has the opportunity to have a banquet together.But I also know that since I can no longer obey Wenhou's words as I did back then, Wenhou will no longer be as confiding to me as he was back then.
After returning to the camp, I took a shower and changed my clothes. I called the commander of the Wude camp to set off.
Feiyu's injury has healed, so I rode on the horse and took the lead to see the cityscape of the imperial capital.Now the imperial capital is indeed getting better and better, the roads are spacious, and most of the houses on both sides have been refurbished. Therefore, the residents of the imperial capital are very grateful for the emperor's government. From time to time, there are singing songs praising the emperor. such as.As a group of six of us walked, our mood became much more cheerful.I have been dancing with knives and guns for a long time, so I don't have many opportunities to walk on the street.
As he was walking, there was a sudden commotion in front of him.I said, "What's the matter?" Qian Wenyi set up the awning to look at it, and said, "It's okay, it's Zhi Jinwu who is collecting beggars into Beitian courtyard."
I was surprised: "Beitianyuan? What is that?"
When the ground army was not fighting, the Wude Battalion took turns to rest. This time to support Nan'an City, the Yizi Battalion and Xinzi Battalion stayed behind in Dongping City. Before we came back, they returned to the Imperial Capital to rest. Therefore, Qian Wenyi knew the current situation of the Imperial Capital well. much clearer.Listening to my question, Qian Wenyi said: "Because of years of wars, the people have been displaced, and many people have come to the imperial capital. In view of the increasing number of refugees, which are unsightly, Lord Wen asked the emperor to resettle them. Those who are allowed to open up wasteland and cultivate land outside the city, do not pay taxes for three years, and the old and weak, women and children are really unable to support themselves, they will set up a small farm to support them, and they are not allowed to beg at will. These beggars must be refugees who just arrived today."
I said: "This is also a good thing, why don't those people want to go?"
Qian Wenyi sighed, and said: "It's a good thing, but it's not good to be supported by Beitian Courtyard. It's just barely making ends meet. Moreover, Beitian Courtyard is divided into male and female courtyards, and men and women are not allowed to live together, and they don't raise children, and there are people for all children." Adoption, so most of those who bring their children do not want to go to Beitian Yard.”
I was stunned, and said: "Speaking of it this way, it really doesn't make sense. Does Lord Wenhou know?"
Before Qian Wenyi said anything, he saw a woman screaming, "Give me back! Give me back my child!", crying with the child in her arms.As soon as I hit the horse, I said: "Go, go and have a look." I ran over first.
When I got to the front, I saw a group of people gathered together, a few people in the uniform of the King Wu were pulling and tugging with a woman. A seven-year-old child, the child was crying with fright.I shouted: "What to do?"
One of the soldiers in Zhijinwu turned his head and saw that the six of us were all riding on tall horses, so he didn't dare to be negligent, so he came forward and said, "I'm waiting for Zhijinwu to be on business, may I ask who are... ha, that's not General Cao What!"
Seeing that the man recognized him, Cao Wendao frowned and thought for a while, then said, "You are..."
"Little General Executive Jinwu Centurion Lin Wu, General Cao, you trained us back then."
After the second prince was put to death, Marquis Wen restructured the imperial army and reorganized it greatly. Cao Wendao was loaned to Zhijinwu to be an instructor at the beginning, so the current Zhijinwu is very different from Lu Zhengyang's Zhijinwu. A Jinwu soldier will appear shrewd and capable.Cao Wendao also smiled, and said, "It's you, I still remember the one on your team called... Lu Muyi, his marksmanship is very good."
A look of worry flashed across Lin Wu's face, and he said, "Lu Muyi has passed away. General Cao, are you coming back to rest? This general is..."
He looked at me, while Qian Wenyi said, "This is General Chu Xiuhong, the commander of the local army."
Hearing my name, the soldier exclaimed in surprise: "General Chu!" As soon as he said that, several Jinwu soldiers came forward and saluted me respectfully.I wanted to reprimand a few words, but they were so respectful, so I couldn't say it, I immediately saluted and said: "Brothers, what's wrong with this woman?"
Lin Wudao: "She is crippled with one leg and can't support a child. We want to take her to Beitian Courtyard, but she refuses to go."
I glanced at the woman.This woman has thick eyebrows and big eyes, she looks like a peasant girl, she should not be too old, and the child in her arms is still sobbing at this moment.我道：“是因为到了卑田院，便要与她儿子分开吧？”
林武迟疑了一下，道：“他自顾不暇，若是有人愿收养她的儿子，自然要送出去的，不然她也养不活，这是卑田院院规。”
我心头略略一痛。文侯定下这种规定，本意就是让人口能更快地增长，但母子天性，这等强迫她与幼子分开，实在有些不近人情。我道：“她若是能养活自己儿子，便不用被收养了吧？”
林武道：“这个自然。只是……”他看了一眼那惊魂未定的女子，也不说话。
我道：“养她儿子到十六岁，得多少钱？”
林武不明白我的话是什么意思，道：“卑田院分发口粮，每年每人也只一个金币。加上衣褥之类，养她儿子到十六岁，十个金币也该够了。”
I sighed secretly.我现在是偏将军，俸禄已是每年三千金币，照这样养法，我一年可以养上三千人了。我从怀里摸了摸，拿出一袋金币来，数了数，有十六个金币，还有些零碎小钱。我把那些金币都拿出来，道：“把这十六个金币给她吧，这样她便可以养大她儿子了，总不用去卑田院了吧。”
林武一呆，接过金币，向我行了一礼道：“我代她多谢楚将军。”转身走到那些同伴身边低声说了些什么，那个女子睁大了眼，似乎也没听清我们在说些什么。我一阵心酸，对杨易他们道：“走吧。”走出一程，还听得林武在对那女子说：“这儿有十七个金币，三十个银币”云云。
到了醉枫楼，里面已是高朋满座。我们下了马，已有文侯府兵在一边牵过，让人传上去，甫一上楼，便听文侯爽朗的笑声道：“地军团楚将军到了，哈哈，四相军团这回都到齐了。”
我率杨易他们五人到文侯座前跪下行礼，落座已毕，却见这堂上设了四边座位，我的位置是居左，邓沧澜居右，我这一侧是邵风观，毕炜坐在邓沧澜那边，文侯对面还设了几席，却尚是空的。文侯待我坐下，笑道：“楚休红，你来得可是晚了些啊。”
我站起身行了一礼，道：“末将路上有些事耽搁了，还望大人恕罪。”
文侯笑道：“不必拘礼了，今日难得四相军团都在座，大家脱略形迹，不醉无归，除风月之外，不得谈论他事。”
这情景，依稀便是当初第一次来这里时的样子了。当时我还记得文侯为太子与一个歌姬花月春拉皮条，让我还有些看不起。不过当时太子还能微服来此，现在他已成帝君，再不能来这里了。
我们都坐了下来，因为文侯在座，邵风观也只是点了点头，颔首致意，毕炜却连正眼都不看我。四相军团中，地军团编制最大，我带来的人也最多，邓沧澜的部将有四人，毕炜身后坐了三个人，风军团人数虽然最少，但邵风观身后却也坐了三人。坐了一会，却不见酒菜上来，只是一班乐人吹拉弹唱，还有流水价上些小点心。我正有些奇怪，要问问一边的邵风观，却有个人忽然进来，到了文侯面前跪下施礼道：“大人，客人都来了。”
And guests?我不禁有些诧异，文侯却一下站起，道：“有请。”
能让文侯站起来迎接的人到底是谁？一边邵风观忽然低低道：“楚兄，是共和军。”
丁亨利！It dawned on me.丁亨利是随我一同回来的，来了以后他自有客馆安歇，只是我万没想到文侯居然也请了他。难道，文侯也有拉拢他之心么？我不由暗笑，想起当初在五羊城他曾献计要留下我的事。这回轮到他到了帝都，文侯可不像他那样君子，若是他不肯转投帝国的话，可没那么容易过关。虽然也有些担心，但我多少有点幸灾乐祸，想看看丁亨利该如何应付。
正想着，却听得扶梯响亮，丁亨利的声音响了起来：“甄先生过誉，丁某愧不敢当。”多半是文侯说了什么赞誉他的话了。我不等他进来，已先站了起来，杨易曹闻道他们也随我站起，边上的邵风观见我站起来，也一下站起身，挥挥手，他身后的人便都立直。我们这一起立，邓沧澜不知发生了什么事，随着站起，剩下了个毕炜，到这时不站起也不行了。他与丁亨利没什么交道，站起来时脸上不情不愿的。
我们刚齐齐立正，文侯已与丁亨利走了进来。见我们全都站得笔直，丁亨利一怔，还没说话，文侯已抢道：“丁将军，这几位你也该都认识吧，今日俊彦齐聚一堂，真是难得的盛事。”
丁亨利满面春风，道：“甄先生太客气了，几位将军大多见过面，这位想必是毕炜毕将军吧？”
毕炜满面虬髯，丁亨利现在也是留了一部胡须，倒与他相映成趣。只是丁亨利的胡须是金黄色的，而且长相也较毕炜儒雅得多。毕炜见丁亨利问到自己，道：“正是在下，丁将军好。”
丁亨利拱了拱手，道：“久仰久仰。”他转身向邓沧澜也问了好，又向我走来，和邵风观打过招呼，才向我行了一礼，道：“楚将军，在下在雾云城这几日，还望将军多多关照。”
我正与他客套着，脸上忽然隐约刺痛，似乎有一道极其凌厉的目光看向我。我吃了一惊，抬头看去。目光是从丁亨利身后射来的，丁亨利此番前来，随身只带了一百多个亲兵，今日赴宴，也只带了四个随从而已。我抬头看去，也只觉四个人一般的平庸，不禁有些诧异。
此时丁亨利已然落座，与文侯有一搭没一搭地说着。文侯所言，净是些风月之事，我一直以为丁亨利一心都在行伍之中，哪知他谈起这些事来倒也口若悬河。只是我根本没心思听他在说什么，只顾想着方才那道目光。我征战已久，应该不会疑神疑鬼地弄错，方才丁亨利身后确是有个人看了我一眼，可是我却不知道究竟是哪一个。
难道，丁亨利身边还带了个极厉害的随从么？丁亨利孤身赴帝都，肯定也要防一手，带的随从绝对不会简单。好在他也不会和我们动手，他的随从就算再厉害，也与我无关。
我竖起耳朵仔细听着文侯和丁亨利的对话。文侯谈吐风趣，引经据典，妙谛纷呈，丁亨利虽然没有文侯这等渊博和口才，答上一句却也毫不露怯。我总以为两人会说一说明日审问那莫朗的事，哪知他们却无只字涉及。丁亨利身后侍立的四人纹丝不动，都如泥塑木雕一般。听着他们说话，我也食不甘味，都不知在吃些什么。
酒宴结束后，时近午夜。丁亨利一行是客，先送他们回去后，我们也该回去了。邵风观手脚最快，站起身行了一礼，正要告辞，文侯忽道：“风观，沧澜，阿炜，休红，你们四人再陪我一会吧，其余人先回去休息。”
我略略一怔，但也知道文侯定然有什么秘事要吩咐了。邵风观闻听，却是声色不动，道：“遵命。”
我们带来的诸将都是各军团中的骨干，但文侯所言，定是极机密的要事，他们也不得与闻。十几个人鱼贯而出，毕炜和邵风观座位近门，他们的属下先出去，每人出去前又不可失了礼数，要向文侯与我们四相军团都督行过礼，因此地军团和风军团还要再等一会。我正要坐下，邵风观身后一人走出来，到我跟前行了一礼，道：“楚都督，小将有礼。”
这人很有点眼熟，但我一时却记不起来，正在回想，曹闻道忽然叫道：“赵子能！”他这般一叫，我猛然间想了起来，这赵子能原是西府军第一军骁骑，当初周诺传我八阵图时便是让赵子能前来传授的，没想到他现在到了风军团。只是曹闻道大概也有些诧异，因此叫得甚响，正在一边与邓沧澜说些什么的文侯也惊动了，笑道：“曹闻道将军原来识得赵子能将军啊，真是故友重逢。”
曹闻道他们作为五德营统领，现在也已晋升为下将军，文侯认识他倒也不奇怪，但赵子能貌不惊人，应该是到风军团不久，文侯居然也知道他的名字。曹闻道见文侯居然认识他，颇觉意外，一时连话都说不上了，赵子能却淡淡道：“禀大人，末将昔年在司辰伯陶爵爷麾下时，曾受楚都督恩惠。”
当初我受命增援符敦城，后来和陶守拙联手做掉了周诺，这赵子能不算高级将领，但他既然名列周诺编出八阵图的智囊团，自然属周诺一派了。不知他如何躲过了事后陶守拙的清洗，想来在西府军也呆不下去，所以才会加入风军团吧。听他说受我“恩惠”，我便想起周诺之事，心头不禁一沉。当初周诺两大弟子，一个背叛，另一个唐开也在西府军呆不下去。虽然唐开对我也颇为感恩，但他后来还是加入了水军团，没有入地军团，恐怕心里一直对我都有芥蒂在。我不知道这赵子能这话到底是不是反话，但看赵子能谈吐，似乎又不像是因为周诺死在我手下而怀恨的样子。
等人都散尽了，文侯的两个随从这才退了出去，将门也掩上了，文侯这才低低道：“四位将军，你们对这共和军丁亨利怎么看？”
毕炜是初次见他，抢着道：“南边蛮人，也没什么了不起。”
他话音刚落，邵风观道：“大人，末将倒以为，这丁亨利若只知兵法，不过老行伍而已，但此人八面玲珑，则大是劲敌。”
他似乎有意在和毕炜抬杠，毕炜大不服气，道：“他就知道吃喝玩乐，有什么了不起？”
邵风观冷笑一声，道：“丁亨利若只知吃喝玩乐，那他也不会随楚将军千里北上，只为共同审问那蛇人了。”
毕炜还要说什么，文侯道：“阿炜，不用说了。有些事，你还要向风观多学一点。”
现在毕炜在文侯跟前比邵风观要亲近多了，毕炜见文侯这般说，也不敢再说什么。文侯看向我和邓沧澜，道：“沧澜，休红，你们以为呢？”
邓沧澜躬身行了一礼，道：“此人心思灵敏，且深通兵法，末将以为，若得将此人收为己用，当是一大臂助，望大人明察。”
文侯道：“是么？”他转向我，道：“休红，你以为如何？”
我心头暗笑，邓沧澜这话，当初在我出使五羊城时丁亨利也向何从景说过吧，只是何从景却一直看我无足轻重，所以后来他放了我，何从景看来也没责怪他什么。现在当真是三十年风水轮流转，果然轮到他头痛了。我正想加一把火，附和一下邓沧澜，让丁亨利大大头痛一番，一躬身，正要这么说，心头忽地一凛。
丁亨利对我，虽是两国之人，却说得上“坦荡”二字。当初他要留下我，实在可以说是轻而易举，但明知我不会投靠共和军，日后我们两人定有兵戎相见的一天，他还是把我放了。想到这儿，我心头一软，道：“禀大人，末将以为，此人才华横溢，但肯定不会为我所用的。眼下两军同盟，实不可行此亲痛仇快的下策。”
文侯淡淡一笑，道：“果然。丁亨利生具异相，若能为我所用，当真不错。不过此人谈吐隐隐有刀兵森严之相，确实不会从我，沧澜，这个点子虽好，却是行不通的。”他顿了顿，眼里忽地冒出一丝杀气，道：“只是我担心的，倒是坐在他身后左手的第二人。”
文侯这话，让我们四人都大吃一惊，毕炜道：“那四个不都是那南蛮子的随从么？”
文侯道：“那四人一般相貌平淡无奇，也没有什么出众的气度，但他们乍到时，我突然见他身后左手第二个眼中冒出一股森严之色。这等气度，当有王者之相，绝非做人随从的！”
文侯竟然如此赞扬一个随从，我们更是吃惊。旁人还好，毕炜已是打翻了醋坛，道：“大人，丁亨利所用的随从各有本领，自是不假。只是一个小小随从，大人未免看得太重了吧。”邓沧澜也道：“是，大人，末将也以为如此。”听他们的意思，自是不信。
不，不对，文侯决不会看走了眼的。我心中想着，当时我也感到了一瞬间那人凌厉逼人的目光，虽然马上就消失了。那人的注意力是集中在我身上的，也只一刹那，居然逃不过文侯的眼睛，只是此际文侯也有些迷茫，喃喃道：“不对，我不会看错，这人似乎比那丁亨利更难对付。”
文侯这种评价也实在让我接受不了。不管那人如何深藏不露，肯定超不过丁亨利的，也许，文侯也有看走眼的时候吧。我想着，文侯却从怀里摸出一个小卷轴来，道：“大家先看看这个吧，楚将军从南安城带回来的。”
他把卷轴一展开挂起来，我就“咦”了一声。从明士贞那里拿来的卷轴是帛的，很柔软，因为当初几个人传看，都有些皱了，文侯展开这张却十分平整，而且奇怪的是，这似乎并不是帛，比帛要厚一些，硬一些。听得我的声音，文侯笑了笑，道：“顺便说一下，原图已经给工部细细研习，这是我让人复制的图。”
邓沧澜和毕炜都睁大眼睛看着，连邵风观的兴趣也提了起来，他道：“大人，末将有一事不明，这帛怎么这么白，这么硬？有几层在内？”
文侯道：“此是工部张尚书从天水省所贡茧纸中得到启发，最近方才制成的树皮纸。虽然比不上帛书和羊皮纸牢固，但因为是树皮做的，甚是便宜。从明年开始，文武二校的学生便用这种树皮纸抄写教材了。”
我记得当初我与唐开所率西府军贡使团一同回到帝都的路上，曾见过夜摩大武所用的茧纸。只是茧纸颇为难得，没想到张龙友竟然能举一反三，用树皮造纸，实是令人佩服。这时邓沧澜在一边道：“那么说来，书便是人人都买得起了？”
本来帛书和羊皮纸都贵得吓人，一本薄薄的书够得上中产人家数日至一月的开销，因此家有藏书的尽是些达官贵人，甚至有平民一辈子都不曾摸到过书。现在文武二校虽然都已开禁，但平民入学虽易，学习时总要有书本册页，这笔开销仍然不是一般人负担得起的，我听说有些文校学生因为买不起帛书和羊皮纸，只能以泥板写字。如今树皮纸生产既易，价格也便宜，书的价格自然大大降低，最能得益的便是这些学生了，张龙友有此发明，实是造福众生。
文侯点了点头，道：“现在工部正在鼎湖边上建造厂房，大概两月之后便能投产，每日可造纸百余斤。”他大概觉得这个“百余斤”不太直观，指了指卷轴道，“百余斤树皮纸，大概相当于三四千张这种卷轴。”
邓沧澜面有喜色，道：“这么多？”他颇好读书，平时就常常手不释卷，一说到书，登时有点眉飞色舞。文侯道：“先不要说这些了，你们看看楚将军带来的这个水雷图吧。”
复制这张图的定是个高手匠人，复制得和原图一般无二，连落款的虚心子的印章也一模一样。水雷图虽然是我拿来的，但和火军团与水军团的关系更密切一些，我也看不出什么来。毕炜扫了一眼，喝道：“好东西！设计这水雷的人是谁？”
文侯道：“这里有个章，叫什么'虚心子'，想必是法统上清丹鼎派的人。楚将军，你认得这人么？”
我站起身，道：“禀大人，这虚心子原是东平城法统，如今在五羊城中。”
文侯点了点头，道：“我只道天下英才，尽入我彀中，但草泽遗珠，在所难免，可惜了。”他说“可惜”自然是可惜未能将虚心子收入麾下。
邓沧澜和我一同回来，路上也曾看过这水雷图，但此时仍然看得十分仔细。他道：“大人，工部对这水雷如何说？”
文侯道：“张尚书薛侍郎二人都看过，大为心折，说这水雷落想奇僻，构思不凡，尤其这触发之机，极是精巧，实是别开生面。工部已按此造出十枚水雷试用，颇为得力。只是，我实在想不通将这图给楚将军的那个明士贞，到底是什么用意了。”
水雷有用，自是好事，但这样一来明士贞的举动就更显得古怪了。五羊城最强的是水军，那支水军与水军团不相上下。水军团因为李尧天征倭失败，元气大伤，现在他们的实力恐怕还在水军团之上。原本他们有了水雷，水战便占了绝对优势，但水雷之秘被明士贞揭破，水军团与五羊城水军的实力差距便拉近了一大截。但明士贞明明不是文侯埋下的暗桩，他为什么要这么做？
我沉吟着尚不曾回答，邓沧澜道：“大人，这明士贞确实奇怪。按理他献图之举，对我们大有好处，但那莫朗知晓蛇人的秘密，他却要去行刺，难道说这人是蛇人内奸么？”
文侯听邓沧澜这么说，眼中忽地现出一片迷茫，道：“什么？”他垂下眼睑，又陷入了沉思。我们四个不敢打扰他，只是侍坐在侧，连大气都不敢出。半晌，文侯忽地抬起头，道：“四位将军，战事恐怕更要激烈了。从今日起，四相军团加紧训练，余事不必多管。”
他想了半天，居然说出这样的话来，我们都有些大失所望，但也不敢多嘴，齐齐站起，躬身一礼，道：“遵命。”
文侯道：“工部已加紧制造水雷。沧澜，你要让水军团尽快熟悉以水雷作战。”他顿了顿，道：“今年已是十月中了，蛇人每到冬日便龟缩不出，战事甚少，你们几个军团务必要抓紧时间训练。毕炜，火军团在四相军团中威力最强，但共和军既然也有了火炮，就不必再加以防范，趁这几个月火军团与水军团合流，一起多加训练。”
毕炜一挺胸，道：“末将领命，大人的吩咐，末将万死不辞。”他一脸虬髯，长相越来越威武，可溜虚拍马的水平倒越来越高了。
文侯吩咐邓沧澜和毕炜联合训练，却未有片言及于我和邵风观，我心里不免有点不好受。本来地军团作为四相军团中的主战部队，我这个地军团都督顺理成章，隐隐也有四相军团之首之势，但现在倒似乎邓沧澜坐了首席。
正想着，听得文侯道：“风观，你的风军团趁如今闲暇，加紧训练部队，不可大意。”邵风观答应了一声，文侯把头转了过来。我心知定要吩咐我了，多半也是让地军团好好训练之类的话，正准备答应，哪知文侯却站了起来，道：“大家先回去吧。戎马倥偬，趁这时候多多休息。”
文侯居然没吩咐我？我心头一沉，抬头看去，正好看到毕炜有点幸灾乐祸看着我的眼光。但我没理他，正想再问一下，但眼中一见到文侯，心中又是一震。文侯吩咐我们时，向来斩钉截铁，坚毅至极，但他说这话时，脸上突然浮现出苍老之色，仿佛转瞬间又老了十岁，刚站起身要和别人一起行礼向文侯告辞，文侯忽道：“楚休红，你等一下，与我一同回去吧。”
我吃了一惊，毕炜在一边也是大为惊愕，眼中已是掩饰不住的妒忌。我屈膝跪下，行了一礼道：“遵命。”
当初文侯带我出去议事，让我坐他的车一同回去，那是常事，但现在已经很久没这样过。我站在文侯身边，看着邓沧澜毕炜邵风观他们一个个过来向文侯行礼告辞。毕炜的眼神，似乎恨不得那是两把刀子，好深深扎在我身上，邵风观眼里却有些隐隐的忧虑。我知道邵风观一定在担心我会不会重又倒向文侯，毕竟，我和